Glenwood Country Club's New Era
Private club in Old Bridge completes renovation by Stephen Kay.
 Glenwood Country Club, dubbed “New Jersey’s Best Kept Secret,” may not be a secret much longer. The 42-year-old private course nestled in the heart of Old Bridge, New Jersey, is ready to step into the limelight, thanks to an extensive new makeover completed by acclaimed golf course architect Stephen Kay.
According to Glenwood Country Club General Manager Anthony Spirito, the decision to put the major renovation in Kay’s capable hands was an easy one. “Stephen Kay has several highly-regarded restorations under his belt in addition to his many highly acclaimed new designs,” said Spirito. “His roster of work speaks for itself and his passion for his craft shines through every project he completes.”
The course was originally created in 1966 by Hal Purdy, a prolific golf course architect credited with the design of more than 25 courses in New Jersey alone. Glenwood’s golf course offered players an exciting round with good sequencing, variety of yardage and a picturesque woodland setting. According to Kay, four decades of technological advances and innovations in both golf clubs and balls had taken some of the challenge and charm out of the course.
“We added back tees to make play longer for very skilled players, then focused our attention on bunker placement,” Kay said. “The design changes have created more sparkle and variety to the holes. The course is now even more fun to play with a diversity that will enable golfers to remember each hole.”
Kay’s renovation plan also included a redesign and expansion of the practice range, the pruning and removal of some overly mature trees, which shaded the greens and fairways.
“The owners and management team of Greenwood Country Club have made a commitment, not just to renovating the course, but to doing things properly and putting plans and resources in place to maintain it,” Kay added. “They’ve hired Pat O’Neill, formerly of Navesink Country Club, as golf course superintendent, who is one of the best in the state of New Jersey. Glenwood is not taking one step forward; it’s taking three steps forward.”
In addition to a par-72, 18-hole championship caliber course that’s been reinvented, refreshed and renewed, Glenwood Country Club members benefit from an on-site pro shop, clubhouse with grill room and bar, and the experience of head golf professional Sal Silvestrone.
With Glenwood’s policy of no initiation fees, assessments or monthly minimums and a myriad of membership options for individuals, families and businesses, it seems a first class private golf club experience has never been more affordable.
“This renovation signifies a new era for Glenwood Country Club,” Spirito continued. “We’ve created one of New Jersey’s most rewarding and most affordable private golf club experiences…a place that our members can be proud to call home.”
|
